Paul and Richard Woolmer
AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000
The sight of an ex-works Austin-healey rally car, with spots and headlights ablaze, powersliding around Goodwood through flurries of snow was one of many remarkable features of the Members’ Meeting.
This famous car (XJB 876), which won the 1961 Alpine Rally, was driven by the Woolmer father-and-son team, Paul and 22-year old Richard, for Healey collector Michael Darcey. “We’re very lucky to prepare and race this famous car,” says Paul. “Other than changing the wheels and tyres and stiffer springs at the front, it’s very original.”
Even for a rally car, the qualifying weather for the Moss Trophy proved a challenge: “There was no grip, so you had to keep off the brakes and drive on the throttle. Richard is quicker, so for the 45-minute race he did the first stint and, after a spin at Lavant, he pitted from seventh. There’s a friendly rivalry with other Healey teams, so we were pleased to be first home.”
Restoration and racing are very much a family affair with the Woolmers, and son Richard has previously impressed at Goodwood with his winning drives in the hairy Hwm-cadillac. He’s also a fully qualified race technician, and finds setting up cars with his father almost as rewarding as racing. Little wonder he’s in demand with invitations to race other historic cars.